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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Renaissancein Marche is world renowned Raphael, Urbino and
especially Lorenzo Lotto, with the Loreto Sanctuary as regional symbol of
perfection for this era.

Sponsored by
the “Signori” of Montefeltro and Urbino, anxious to adorn their courts with
great works to symbolize their power and wealth, other great artists of the
Renaissance called Marche their home at one time or another: Piero della Francesca, Francesco di
Giorgio Martini, Bramante, Signorelli, Pomarancio, Melozzo da Forlì, Titian and
Paolo Uccello.

The
Church also enriched sanctuaries and other places of worship with art designed to
attract worshippers with Loreto, home of the Virgin Mary, holding, to this day,
the most valuable works, thanks artists and engineers “commuting” between Saint
Peter’s in Rome and Loreto, in a continuous cultural and creative effort.

Lorenzo
Lotto has opportunities to travel as well and is influenced by other
renaissance masters; but it is here in Marche that much of his work can be
found on an itinerary that includes several churches and picture galleries.

Fortresses, Castles and Myths“Marche” means
border land, from the ancient German word mark,
implying the confine of the Holy Roman Empire. This fascinating land, with its
fortresses and dungeons, has witnessed unique characters and stories over the
centuries: the alchemist Cagliostro in his prison cell, the impossible love
between Paolo and Francescaand
their death in Gradara Castle, as recounted by Dante in the Divine Comedy.

The
Templars have left their mark in this region as well; from the Camerano grottoes
to the Madonna’s house foundations in Loreto.Then, Osimo with its headless statues and Tolentino and its bridge
built in “collaboration” with the devil, a situation quickly rectified by Saint
Nicholas, the town’s patron saint.

The
quintessential medieval region, with fortresses and castles, many still in
existence today, that have tested the creative engineering skills of the time
to house refined artworks, myths and mysteries of pagan origin that fed popular
superstitions.

Paper Making WorkshopFabriano
has been producing paper since the Middle Ages, taking this Chinese invention
and improving it by making it more durable, introducing large scale production
- hence allowing for a wider dissemination of printed materials – and inventing
the watermark (100% made in
Fabriano). Today, this world class industry still preserves its artistic and
artisan traditionsin a few
remaining laboratories.